Chipley Police seek Louisiana man in felony fraud case

Published: Thursday, October 31, 2013 at 03:16 PM.

CHIPLEY — A Louisiana man is being sought in connection with felony fraud charges after he purchased over $300 worth of merchandise with a fraudlent check, according to the Chipley Police Department.

On Oct. 25, the Chipley Police Department responded to a call of a theft at a local business.

It was reported that a man had come to the business and purchased several items in excess of $300 dollars and paid using a check, according to a police news release. The business owner shortly afterward discovered that the check was fraudulent and notified the police.

During the investigation, police discovered that the check used by the suspect was stolen from a business in Louisiana, but the theft of the check not been reported at the time. Officers made contact with the business in regards to the check, after which the business then reported the checks stolen, according to police.

Officers with the Chipley Police Department with assistance of the New Orleans District Attorney’s Office, Economic Crime Division, identified a suspect in this case.

The local business owner confirmed the identity of the man who passed the fraudulent check as Benito J. Castro, 51, of Louisiana.

Castro is currently wanted on a felony charge of Fraud/Swindle, obtaining property by trick in excess of $300.

CHIPLEY — A Louisiana man is being sought in connection with felony fraud charges after he purchased over $300 worth of merchandise with a fraudlent check, according to the Chipley Police Department.

On Oct. 25, the Chipley Police Department responded to a call of a theft at a local business.

It was reported that a man had come to the business and purchased several items in excess of $300 dollars and paid using a check, according to a police news release. The business owner shortly afterward discovered that the check was fraudulent and notified the police.

During the investigation, police discovered that the check used by the suspect was stolen from a business in Louisiana, but the theft of the check not been reported at the time. Officers made contact with the business in regards to the check, after which the business then reported the checks stolen, according to police.

Officers with the Chipley Police Department with assistance of the New Orleans District Attorney’s Office, Economic Crime Division, identified a suspect in this case.

The local business owner confirmed the identity of the man who passed the fraudulent check as Benito J. Castro, 51, of Louisiana.

Castro is currently wanted on a felony charge of Fraud/Swindle, obtaining property by trick in excess of $300.

Castro is also believed to have committed the same or similar type crimes across the South Eastern portion of the United States.

The Chipley Police Department is currently seeking information on Castro’s location for his immediate arrest for a felony warrant. Anyone with any information is strongly encouraged to contact the Chipley Police Department at 638-6310 or Crime Stoppers of Washington County at 638-TIPS.